A mechanical and electromyographical analysis of the effects of various joint counterforce braces on the tennis player

Abstract

Biomechanical data on most bracing and protective equipment systems is lacking. To better understand the clinical success of counterforce bracing, a biome chanical analysis of braced and unbraced tennis players (serve and backhand strokes) was undertaken. Three- dimensional cinematography and electromyographic techniques were used. Three commonly used counter force braces (lateral elbow, medial elbow, and radial ulnar wrist) were compared with the unbraced condi tion. The overall results basically reveal positive bio mechanical alterations in forearm muscle activity and angular joint acceleration dependent upon the brace and joint area analyzed.